Originally posted on The Tribune NEW JERSEY: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on two churches in Lahore. In 2013, a similar church attack in Peshawar claimed more than 80 innocent lives. These extremists defy the teachings of the Holy Quran which instructs Muslims to protect all places of worship, explicitly mentioning churches. The perpetrators of...
Originally posted in San Jose Mercury News Just miles away from Ground Zero, three Muslim men plotted to leave this country and join ISIL, the so-called “Islamic State.” As a Muslim, news like this is disheartening but it serves as a vivid reminder that radicalization, unfortunately, remains a pressing problem even in the United States. It is time for us to act, but more than just...
Originally posted in Contra Costa Times The merciless murder of three Americans at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is troubling. Wait … three Americans? Yes. They were Americans — born and raised. They just happened to be Muslim. Whether this brutality was a villainous hate-crime or a response to a petty parking dispute, or both, remains undetermined, but it has sparked a necessary...
Originally posted in Macomb Voice As a human being, I feel a deep hurt and sadness for the two individuals who were stabbed by a Muslim at a local Detroit bus stop. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I feel anger and resentment that this so called “Muslim” felt it acceptable to commit such a crime simply because the two victims stated they were not Muslim. Such brutal and inhumane actions do not...
Originally posted in The Baltimore Sun Recently, a Sun poll asked readers whether “avoiding the phrase ‘Islamic extremism’ when referring to certain terrorist groups take[s] away their power as religious leaders, as the president contends?” (Feb. 19). There are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world and a majority of them disagree strongly with the actions and ideologies...
Originally published in The Express Tribune Dear Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, I hope this letter finds you well. I am sure you are busy; so let me cut to the chase. You know well that Pakistan’s Ahmadi community has long faced the wrath of extremist religious clerics. Despite succeeding in hijacking Jinnah’s vision, and pressurising the state into incorporating anti-Ahmadi bigotry into the...
Originally published in Statesman Re: Jan. 8 article, “One held in deadly raid on Paris satirical paper” The targeted and horrific attacks at the office of Charlie Hebdo have shocked us all. No matter how distasteful the satire may be, it does not give anyone the right to kill in retaliation. By committing this heinous crime, the killers have done little to defend the honor of Prophet...
Originally published in Houston Chronicle Regarding “Police hunt gunman who killed 12 at weekly” (Page A4, Thursday), as a Muslim-American, I condemn the reprehensible atrocities and extend my profound condolences to the families of these victims. While the perpetrators felt that the Charlie Hebdo newspaper had desecrated the image of the Prophet Muhammad, they responded by...
Originally published in Providence Journal We have just witnessed a horrific and inexcusable act of terror take place in Paris. Having close friends and family living in Paris, I am shaken to the core by the heinous attack by gunmen at the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. As a Muslim, I unequivocally condemn this barbaric act that has nothing to do with the Islam I know and love. These terrorists...
Originally published in San Jose Mercury News – El Cerrito Journal Recently, Americans countrywide rang in the New Year with joyful celebrations and came together for the annual struggle to fulfill some ambitious New Year’s resolutions. Starting a rigorous workout regimen for that enviable beach bod? Impressive. Traveling more and experiencing our earth’s natural beauty...